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We have Smoke, Rage, Boney, Shrek and Cupcake, and each name has it's own story to tell.

Smoke, the president of Cobra, earned his from when he used to work in a vape shop selling e-cigarettes and vaping liquid. He would be surrounded by the big smoke clouds.

The 33-year-old also would wear a soft mask over his face when riding, which resembled the character, Smoke, from popular video game Mortal Kombat.

Then there is Shrek, who unapologetically rides his motorcycle covered in the infamous Dreamworks character.

"My bike is covered in Shrek because that's what my grandchildren picked out," he revealed.

'Bikers are given a bad reputation'

The club members are regulars to popular Southend venue and pub, Chinnery's

Smoke said: "Bike theft sticks in people's minds, it can put them off."

Cupcake added that those who ride stolen bikes or those without number plates give others a bad name.

"We get caught up in the middle of it. Some people make so much noise to prove something and they want the attention," he said.

Rage also brought up the danger of young people on similar vehicles, such as quad bikes, on the street.

Smoke

Road name: Smoke

Age: 33

Riding history: First loved motorbikes when he was four years old and his uncle took his mum for a ride on his bike, which left him jealous and confused as he wanted to go on it too.

Cobra history: Smoke first became a part of Cobra five years ago and is now president.

What does everyone else think of bikers?

"If you look at common TV programmes, like Sons of Anarchy, some of the representations are rubbish," explained Shrek, who is 53.

"People associate us with what they are but they don't realise it is on TV and in real life it's different.

"People look over at bikers in a very dark light and a lot of that is related to what they see in the media.

"So many people think we are so different and we look so scary but we're really nice guys. There was a big stigma from the 1950s and 1960s with the rockers and mods when they were fighting.

Motorbikes often decorate the seafront

"People generally look down on us."

Smoke laughed: "We look big, mean and scary and we have to be big, mean and scary, but it doesn't mean we are actually big, mean and scary."

The club members were wearing dark hoodies and jackets underneath their leather waistcoats which were decorated with several tags. Their road name, club role, and area is featured on each side of the chest, as well as the word 'COBRA'.

Rage

Road name: Rage

Age: 39

Riding history: When he was a passenger, Rage was in a car accident and flew through the windscreen in the incident. A few years after he decided to get into riding instead.

Cobra history: Rage first became a part of Cobra four years ago and is now vice president of the group.

The group of men don't believe that their piercings, beards, jewellery and 'biker look' should affect how others see them.

Cupcake said: "Tattoos are still considered taboo in life, but that is changing and it's becoming more accepted these days.

"It's the same with how we look."

It's all about respect

Some of the Cobra members feel that bikers 'have a bad name'

Smoke revealed: "It's about the respect you give to other bikers when you see them and they'll do the same to you."

"We police ourselves," added Shrek, "It's all about respect everywhere you go, respect everyone and they'll welcome you back next time with open arms."

To become part of the Cobra MCC the 'prospects' first work for and with the other members, and over time through their loyalty and actions will 'earn their patch' - but they don't just let anyone into the club.

Shrek

Road name: Shrek

Age: 53

Riding history: Shrek rides a trike and covered his vehicle in the Dreamworks character as his grandchildren picked it out for him.

Cobra history: He has been a member for two years.

Cupcake is the newest member, earned his patch around a year ago. This is followed by Boney and Shrek who have been a part of Cobra for two years.

Rage, the vice president, earned his patch almost four years ago, and Smoke has been a part of the club for five years.

The president said: "We are nice, people should realise most bikers will be the first one to rescue your children from a burning building."

The group explained that most bikers nod to each other when seeing other motorcyclists on the road- even if they are not in the same club. This boils down to the respect they hold high for others and other bikers.

We are human beings

Smoke said: "The fact is we are human beings, we are people too.

"Some give the police a bad name and then at the end of the day they go home to their mums, dads, sisters, brothers, children and grandchildren - we are just the same as them.

"When we are riding down the road and people drive too close, we are human too."

And on to the bikes

Boney, who is 63, has three trikes and seven bikes. His love for the two-wheeled vehicle started when he was a child.

"I have been riding since I was 10-years-old," he said, "We would ride over the fields before the A127 was built."

With more than half a century of experience, Boney, said he joined the Cobra MCC as it was the best group for him to become a part of.

Cupcake

Road name: Cupcake

Age: 21

Riding history: His brothers and family members had bikes and this lead to him growing his own admiration for two wheels.

Cobra history: He is one of the club's newest members and has been there for around a year.

Cupcake added: "I have been into bikes since I was 11 everyone in my family had them and I was brought up with it.

"I got my first bike when I was 17.

"My favourite thing about riding is the feeling you get from it really, you're on the bike and that's it."